God’s Word Translation
Isaiah 34:17
17He is the one who throws dice for them, and his hand divides up ⌞the land⌟ for them with a measuring line. They will possess it permanently and live there for generations.
Isaiah 34:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.
- New International Version (NIV)He allots their portions; his hand distributes them by measure. They will possess it forever and dwell there from generation to generation.
- English Standard Version (ESV)He has cast the lot for them; his hand has portioned it out to them with the line; they shall possess it forever; from generation to generation they shall dwell in it.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He has cast the lot for them, And His hand has divided it among them with a measuring line. They shall possess it forever; From generation to generation they shall dwell in it.”
Context of Isaiah 34:17
15Owls will make their nests there, lay eggs, and hatch them. They will gather their young in the shadow of ⌞their wings⌟. Vultures also will gather there, each one with its mate. 16Search the Lord’s book, and read it. Not one of these animals will be missing. Not one will lack a mate, because the Lord has commanded it, and his Spirit will gather them together. He is the one who throws dice for them, and his hand divides up ⌞the land⌟ for them with a measuring line. They will possess it permanently and live there for generations.
Read all of Isaiah 34Isaiah 34:17 word by word
וְהֽוּא־הִפִּ֤יל לָהֶן֙ גּוֹרָ֔ל וְיָד֛וֹ חִלְּקַ֥תָּה לָהֶ֖ם בַּקָּ֑ו עַד־עוֹלָם֙ יִֽירָשׁ֔וּהָ לְד֥וֹר וָד֖וֹר יִשְׁכְּנוּ־בָֽהּ׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he hath castנָפַלnâphal · to fall: allotH5307
- the lotגּוֹרָלgôrâl gôrâl · allottedH1486
- for them, and his handיָדyâd · handH3027
- hath dividedחָלַקchâlaq · to divideH2505
- it unto them by lineקַוqav qâv · lineH6957
- they shall possessיָרַשׁyârash yârêsh · to possess: possessH3423
- it forעַד‛ad · tillH5704
- everעוֹלָם‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm · forever: enduringH5769
- from generationדּוֹרdôr dôr · generationH1755
- shall they dwellשָׁכַןshâkan · to dwellH7931
Cross-references for Isaiah 34:17
- Joshua 18:8As the men got ready to go, Joshua ordered them to write a description of the land. He said, “Go survey the land. Write a description of it, and return to me. Then I will draw lots for you in the presence of the Lord here in Shiloh.”
- Psalms 78:55He forced nations out of their way and gave them the land of the nations as their inheritance. He settled the tribes of Israel in their own tents.
- Acts 13:19Then he destroyed seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as an inheritance.
- Acts 17:26From one man he has made every nation of humanity to live all over the earth. He has given them the seasons of the year and the boundaries within which to live.
- Isaiah 34:10They will not be extinguished day or night, and smoke will always go up from them. Edom will lie in ruins for generations. No one will ever travel through it.
- Isaiah 13:20It will never be inhabited again, and no one will live in it for generations. Arabs won’t pitch their tents there. Shepherds won’t let their flocks rest there.
Commentaries on Isaiah 34:17
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17And he hath cast the lot for them - He hath assigned to them the land of Edom to be occupied by them as their portion. This language is taken from the fact that countries were commonly apportioned, particularly among conquerors, by the lot. In this way Judea was divided among the tribes of Israel Numbers 26:55-56. His hand hath divided it unto them by line - He has marked out, as a surveyor does, the land of Edom as the dwelling-place of the beasts of the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-17Verses 9-17 Those who aim to ruin the church, can never do that, but will ruin themselves. What dismal changes sin can make! It turns a fruitful land into barrenness, a crowded city into a wilderness. Let us compare all we discover in the book of the Lord, with the dealings of providence around us, that we may be more diligent in seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness. What the mouth of the Lord has commanded, his Spirit will perform. And let us…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-17This prophecy of judgment was against the nations at the terrifying day of the Lord (see study note on Isaiah 2:5–22; see also Isaiah 63:1–6).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. cast ... lot--As conquerors apportion lands by lot, so Jehovah has appointed and marked out ("divided") Edom for the wild beasts (Nu 26:55, 56; Jos 18:4-6).Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 34:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 34
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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